1. The Training Course structure

 

The Training Course is planned to be offered each year in different countries of the Latin American region (that is: to be itinerant in the LAC region), with a mean duration of two or three weeks, and a full time dedication. Although each of the three core issues of Ocean Governance, Ocean Sciences and Geoethics are designed as stand-alone modules and can be presented separately (as they are in other courses), the IOI-LAC-TC integrates and interlinks these issues within a common learning process in order to show how governance is linked with geoethics and underpinned by the scientific knowledge of the oceans. The motto of the TC is:

 

“You cannot govern the oceans without ethics and science”

 

Another aspect of the TC is the use of the “learning by doing“ pedagogic process, which implies the extensive use of practical activities such as case studies, round table discussions, conflict resolution RPG (Role Playing Games), field visits, interviews with local stakeholders, OCZ RPG (out of comfort zone RPG), etc.

 

Although the theoretical part of the TC is to be presented by the course leaders and invited speakers, most of the teaching effort will be focused in the “learning by doing” activities. The targeted participants are intended to be young practitioners and scientists, with enough basic background not to be overly challenged in the theoretical issues. A proper guidance offered by the course staff on theoretical issues has to be enough to induce a proper autodidactic behavior among participants, provided the course offers the tools to reach the knowledge sources.

 

The daily activities during the TC are purposely designed to merge seamlessly between the three main issues and the practical activities, without unduly concentrating on one particular core issue the full day.

 

The Directors of the Training and the Support Centers coordinate the Training Course and leading local invited experts are in charge of the different modules. The course Directors will be dedicated to the activity throughout the full course duration. External (not local) invited TLs and SLs remain for the required periods. External (not local) experts could be invited to present a part of the TC when necessary.

 

      2. The Training Course Syllabus

 

The core issues are better detailed below, and form the basic content of the TC. However, the TC is not limited to these issues

 

   ISSUE #1         Ocean Sciences

  1. The Scientific Knowledge and the Sciences of the Oceans.
  2. The Dynamic of the Ocean, Atmosphere and Earth Systems.
  3. Natural and Anthropogenic Threats to the Oceans.
  4. Climate Change and Marine Extreme Events.
  5. Observing the Oceans. Operational Oceanography. Monitoring the Oceans.
  6. Models and Marine data collection and analysis. In situ Observing systems. Remote Sensing.
  7. Living and Non Living Marine Resources scientific issues.
  8. International Ocean Sciences Programs and Networks (GOOS, LOICZ, PTAS, MA, etc.).
  9. Ocean sciences tools: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Marine Spatial Planning, Monitoring Pollution, Coastal Zone Management.

   ISSUE #2        Ocean Governance

  1. Introduction and history of Ocean Governance.
  2. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Ocean Policy Frameworks.
  3. International, Regional & National Regulatory frameworks.
  4. Governance issues on Living and Non Living Marine Resources.
  5. Good Governance principles: Polluters Pays, Precautionary principle, Sustainable Development, Integrated Management, etc.
  6. Negotiation and Diplomacy. Communication and negotiation skills. Conflict resolution and consensus building.
  7. Legal and technical aspects of Maritime Boundary Delimitation. The Blue Economy. Maritime Trade, Transport, Ports and Harbors.
  8. Marine Security Issues. Emergency Management.
  9. Role of the international Organizations and Programs.
  10. Use of technical tools in governance, GIS & Information Management, Modeling, Remote sensing, Marine Spatial Planning.

     ISSUE #3         Geoethics

  1. Ethics and Environment.
  2. Sustainable Development as an Ethical concept.
  3. Ocean Governance, Science & Ethics.
  4. The Concept of the Common Heritage of Mankind.
  5. Geoethics. Confronting Ocean Governance ethical dilemmas.
  6.  Responsible Conduct of Research.
  7. Recognizing ethical dilemmas in the first instance. Developing the strategies and skills needed to responsibly participate in the profession, and gain experience in ethical decision-making. 
      3. The Training Course blend

 

The blend of the course contents is not limited to the interaction of the core issues over time, but also highlighting the essential inter-dependencies between the support issues already mentioned in order to complete the concepts or assist with the “learning by doing” process.

 

The LAC Training Courses are planned to deliver the above course content in around 80 lecture hours and activities, ideally during two weeks, with 8 hours per day of course's activities. A longer course could also be offered, with 120 lecture hours and activities, during four weeks, with 6 hours per day of course's activities.

 

Depending on the local host suggestion or as local preferences may dictate, the Training Course could be offered in different formats keeping the contents flexible as requested. On the long case, extra hours per day could be needed, also, using the Saturdays as a full working day on the short case. The course duration, then, could be variable depending on the place it will be presented and has to be carefully planned beforehand in accordance with the local institution and partners, however, the maximum total amount of course´s hours have to be 160 in total.  

 

Depending on the profile of the participants, the TCs could be offered in English, Spanish, Portuguese, "Portunhol", and/or a blend. In any case, most of the text material will be in English.